Latest News
Gallimore sets sights on World Juniors
March 13, 2026
Junior Gallimore said one of his biggest aims this season is booking a spot on Jamaica's team to the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships, scheduled to be held in Eugene, Oregon from August 5-9.
Gallimore, one of Jamaica's rising talents in track and field, is a versatile athlete who competes in the 200m, 400m and 400m hurdles.
He has been in the form of his life this season, running a personal best in the 400m, dipping below the 46-second barrier with a time of 45.85 seconds. His previous PB is 47.40.
The former Calabar High School athlete, who transferred to Hydel High School with coach Corey Bennett, set the mark at the recent Carifta Trials, and booked his spot at the 2026 Carifta Games, having finished second in the final.
Gallimore said he was not surprised with his new lifetime best, having felt in 'tip-top shape' ahead of the race.
"Going into Carifta Trials, it was a discussion between me and my coach if I should go for the 400m hurdles and the 200m, or if I should go for the 400m and the 200m," he said.
"A few days before, I decided to withdraw from the 400m hurdles and pursue the 400 and the 200m because I've only run one 400m this season and that was in December, so I wanted to see where my body was."
He continued, "To be honest, it was kind of surprising but it wasn't really because I knew that I was in tip-top shape, but we have to thank God nevertheless because that was a good run."
STOMPING GROUNDS
With the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships at the end of the month, and the Carifta Games in April, Gallimore said both meets will be major stomping grounds on his quest to the World Juniors.
He admitted a decision has not yet been made on whether he will compete in the 200m, 400m or 400m hurdles, but he remains confident he can medal in any event.
Gallimore is confident he can make Jamaica's team for the World Juniors, and said after his new personal best, he is confident he can run whatever time it takes to book his spot on the team.
"The main goal for this year is to aim for the World Juniors.That would be the meet I'd say I'm aiming for the most," he said.
"I'm not aiming for any specific time. The specific time is any time really that puts me on the team in an individual spot. Because if I make the team, it's less worries from there," Gallimore continued.
"My coach and I can work on the training to get myself faster or to get myself in a medal spot for the World Juniors if I make the team. But the main point is to go and make the World Juniors team either for the 400m, the 200m or the 400m hurdles, or any event that I may pursue. That's the goal."
